Denver Broncos' defensive coordinator and current interim head coach Jack Del Rio is indeed a candidate to be USC's next coach.
The former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach and NFL middle linebacker interviewed with athletic director Pat Haden during the Broncos' bye week on November 1. Del Rio is serving as interim coach while John Fox recovers from a heart procedure.
Fox Sports first reported the interview and it was confirmed by the Broncos to the Associated Press.
USC Athletic Director Pat Haden reached out to Broncos executive vice president John Elway for permission to speak with Denver's defensive coordinator at a time that was convenient for the Broncos.
The Broncos were impressed by Haden's approach because college administrators are under no obligation to seek permission from NFL teams before reaching out to their coaches.
Del Rio, who went to USC, has long been mentioned a candidate for the job after Lane Kiffin's dismissal, and rumors flew in September that he had been spotted at Los Angeles International Airport -- rumors that the Broncos said were unfounded. The day after Del Rio interviewed with Haden, Fox became sick and his previously scheduled end-of-season heart surgery was moved up, making Del Rio the Broncos' interim coach.
And while Del Rio certainly has the ties and the credentials to be a good fit at USC, current interim coach Ed Orgeron is making the case that he's an even better fit for the program at the moment. After upsetting Stanford Saturday night, USC is 5-1 and undefeated in the Pac-12 since Kiffin's dismissal.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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